Effects of training on the electrophysiologic properties of atrium and accessory pathway in athletes with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

Twenty-two subjects with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) electrocardiographic pattern performing agonistic physical activity were referred to our laboratory to assess arrhythmogenic risk (group 1). This allowed us to evaluate a less known aspect, namely that of effects of training on the electrophysiologic properties of the atrium and accessory pathway. This was done utilizing a control group of 10 WPW patients who did not perform agonistic physical activity (group 2).

Relationship between age and anterograde refractoriness of the accessory pathway in Wolff-Parkinson-White patients.

In 22 patients (age range 13-40 years) with Wolff-Parkinson-White ECG pattern without evidence of associated cardiomyopathy we measured the anterograde effective refractory period of the accessory pathway (ERP-AP) by extrastimulus method (at twice diastolic threshold) during atrial pacing (100/min). The ERP-AP range was 220-480 ms. There was a significant direct correlation between age and ERP-AP (r = 0.

Atrial electrophysiologic properties of patients with asymptomatic Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

To evaluate the existence of a peculiar atrial electrophysiologic substrate, we studied 18 patients with asymptomatic Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. These patients were compared with 10 age-matched normal subjects (N). Effective and functional refractory periods were determined at two right atrial sites (high and low in the lateral wall), during atrial pacing (100 min-1) and at twice diastolic threshold.